While Lakers stars Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard have sparred in the media in recent days over Howard’s toughness, Howard’s father, Dwight Sr., came to his son’s defense during an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, saying that it’s coach Mike D’Antoni’s fault for letting it get out of hand.

"The problem is the coach," Howard Sr. told the newspaper. "(D'Antoni) needs to step in and say, 'You guys have got to be quiet. We're trying to secure something here.' Dwight is probably looking at the coach, thinking, 'What are you going to do?' I promise, if that had been (former Magic coach) Stan Van Gundy, that wouldn't have happened. (Howard) wouldn't have been admonished publicly. I think the coach has a lot to do with who controls Kobe's mouth right now."

Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard have been at odds with one another the past few days. (AP Photo)

And Howard: My dad is a grown man. If that's how he feels, then we'll leave it at that. I'm not going to get into it."

The Lakers will again be on a national stage Sunday, when they take on the Heat in Miami. Howard posted his first double-double since Jan. 25 in a Friday win over the Charlotte Bobcats. He scored 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in nearly 38 minutes of action.